The Patriots noticed combined leads to their two days of joint practices with the Vikings this week, and now the 2 groups are set to compete within the preseason Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
The Patriots won the day (if that’s doable in joint apply) on Wednesday however have been outmatched on offense and protection Thursday.
Since starters acquired a lot work within the two joint apply session, be ready to look at gamers combating for jobs on the roster bubble play nearly all of Saturday’s recreation.
Listed here are gamers to look at in a uncommon Patriots afternoon preseason recreation.
QB BEN WOOLDRIDGE
The undrafted quarterback out of Louisiana didn’t see any reps throughout joint practices with the Vikings, however he impressed in final week’s preseason debut in opposition to the Commanders, finishing 9-of-12 passes for 132 yards with a landing.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was requested concerning the Patriots’ backup quarterback state of affairs Friday and whether or not there’s any competitors between Wooldridge and Joshua Dobbs.
Dobbs threw two interceptions Wednesday however was one of many Patriots’ higher gamers throughout Thursday’s apply.
“Yeah, I imply, I believe Josh is the backup proper now. Not that that couldn’t change,” Vrabel stated. “You recognize, Ben’s working laborious, and we’ll see. We’re all the time attempting to strengthen the roster each day, however Josh is in there.
“Josh simply must be extra constant. Had an unlucky interception in two-minute drill and throwing it into robber, and ball placement must be higher, and simply the timing and all this stuff that we work on. So, he’s getting the identical seems to be that Drake’s getting, and it’s not straightforward, however that’s not an excuse. I’m not utilizing that as an excuse. Simply saying now we have to maintain soccer.”
WR JAVON BAKER
A standout in Thursday’s apply, Baker was 4-0 throughout 1-on-1 drills in opposition to Vikings defensive backs then caught two passes, together with a landing in full-team drills.
Vast receivers Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte and Kyle Williams must be thought of roster locks, and it feels protected to place undrafted rookie Efton Chism on any roster projections. Baker continues to be competing with Ja’Lynn Polk and Kendrick Bourne for a roster spot and is the favourite since he’s wholesome.
The extra Baker can do to show himself on particular groups will assist. It could be good to see a few of Baker’s apply highlights translate onto a gamefield, as nicely.
FB/TE JACK WESTOVER
If the Patriots are going to maintain a 3rd tight finish, then Westover looks as if the favourite for the position along with his flexibility to play fullback in 21 personnel. It’s price noting that Cole Fotheringham, a 27-year outdated veteran tight finish who performed underneath Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in 2022 and 2023 with the Raiders, has additionally seen some latest snaps at fullback. Nobody loves a blocking tight finish like McDaniels.
VARIOUS OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
The offensive line nonetheless looks as if essentially the most unsettled group on the roster.
To that time, Will Campbell, Ben Brown, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Marcus Bryant, Vederian Lowe, Tyrese Robinson, Sidy Sow, Cole Unusual and Caedan Wallace all acquired first- or second-unit snaps in Thursday’s joint apply with the Vikings. And that checklist of 11 gamers doesn’t even embrace rookie Jared Wilson, a roster lock, and Demontrey Jacobs, who started the summer season because the Patriots’ swing sort out.
Lowe and Jacobs appear to be competing for one roster spot. Robinson, Sow, Unusual and Wallace are all competing for one or two spots.
DT ISAIAH ITON
One of many extra unheralded gamers on the Patriots’ roster, Iton is pushing for a spot on the 53-man roster. In Wednesday’s joint apply, when Christian Barmore was not taking part in full-team drills, Iton was seeing first-team reps.
The 6-foot-2, 277-pound inside defensive lineman is undersized however stout in the course of the protection.
CB KOBEE MINOR
There’s been increasingly to love out of 2025’s Mr. Irrelevant because the summer season has progressed. The rookie cornerback has been energetic across the ball and has some edge to him. If the Patriots maintain a sixth cornerback behind Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin and DJ James, then Minor is competing with Miles Battle for the position.
S KYLE DUGGER
The Patriots appear intent on solely giving Dugger second-team reps within the fourth week of coaching camp. With Jabrill Peppers restricted in Thursday’s joint apply, Dell Pettus, not Dugger, took over because the Patriots’ third security subsequent to veteran Jaylinn Hawkins and rookie Craig Woodson.
Dugger has $9.75 million in assured cash, plus $1 million owed in per-game roster bonuses. Unlikely to discover a commerce associate for Dugger, there’s little the Patriots can do with the veteran safety’s contract.
KICKERS
Andres Borregales and Parker Romo are nonetheless competing for the Patriots’ kicking job, and each have largely impressed this summer season.
Each kickers did have one uncharacteristically inaccurate day in apply final week, and Romo didn’t get any alternatives in Minnesota. However particular groups coordinator Jeremy Springer stated this week that the Patriots will choose one of the best particular person for the job, not Borregales just because the staff used a draft choice on him in April.
“I simply assume on the finish of the day, it’s the constant particular person. It doesn’t matter in case you’re drafted or undrafted otherwise you have been picked up in free company,” Springer stated. “Coach Vrabel’s message may be very clear: You must earn a job. Should you earn a job by way of consistency and exhibiting up day by day, to me, that’s the man who’s going to win the job. On the finish of the day, it doesn’t matter who they’re, and that’s how I strategy it day by day.”
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